Wetlands preservation question stalls plan for South Union roadways
SOUTH UNION TWP. – Supervisors said “hundreds of jobs” may be in jeopardy if the township and the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Army Corp of Engineers are unable to work together. Supervisor Robert Schiffbauer said he and fellow supervisor Rick Vernon met with officials from both departments Wednesday and that no progress was made during the three-hour meeting.
Schiffbauer said the DEP and Army Corp of Engineers are unwilling to issue the permits needed to allow for construction of a road through the Fayette Business Park.
The business park contains approximately one acre of wetlands that environmental agencies are concerned will be affected by any construction, Schiffbauer said.
“We can’t build a road through the business park without permits,” he said.
Schiffbauer said he is concerned any delay in construction will cause the township to lose grant money.
Funding has been acquired for the New Salem Road and Matthew Drive Extension areas for four-lane roads, upgrading of Matthew Drive and for upgrading the intersection at the New Salem Road and Matthew Drive Extension.
If the money is not used within a certain amount of time, the township may lose it, he said.
“I’m concerned with the environment just as much as anyone else, but not when it puts thousands of needed jobs in jeopardy,” Schiffbauer said.
Schiffbauer said the supervisors are willing to create a wetland in another area of the Jennings Run Watershed but said DEP officials have been unwilling to talk about mitigating the wetlands from one area to another.
“We have a solution to the problem. It’s just getting the bureaucrats who are totally out of control to cooperate and work with us,” Schiffbauer said, noting that supervisors plan to contact Gov. Ed Rendell and other elected officials about the matter.
In other business, the supervisors reminded the public the township does have an ordinance regarding pets, after hearing a complaint from a woman who said a neighbor’s barking dogs are a nuisance.
The township ordinance states that all pets must be licensed, vaccinated and kept on a leash. The ordinance also states residents are not allowed to have a pet that makes “excessive noise” that disturbs, annoys or frightens people within the immediate vicinity. In addition, the ordinance states residents are only allowed to have up to four dogs or cats over 6 months old.
The supervisors also awarded Laurel Aggregate Inc. of Gans a bid for $34,290 for stone. Laurel Aggregate was the lowest bid, with one other company supplying quotes. The supervisors also awarded a bid for bituminous surface course to Coolspring Stone Supply Inc. of Uniontown for $37,750.
During the road master report, Supervisor Thomas Frankhouser announced three wild goats that had been roaming the Hague Lane area were captured and taken to a farm in Menallen Township.